Health Tip: Preparing For Your Pregnancy

(HealthDay News) -- Women can take many precautions to promote a health pregnancy before they become pregnant.

Here''s a list of pre-pregnancy planning tips, courtesy of the Palo Alto Medical Foundation:

• Stop smoking to reduce the risk of a low birth weight baby, a miscarriage or a stillbirth.
• Avoid drinking alcohol.
• Talk to your doctor about how prescription medications may affect your pregnancy. Some of these medications include the birth control pill, Accutane, and seizure and cancer medications.
• Take a multivitamin with at least 400 micrograms of folic acid each day.
• Maintain good health by eating healthy, exercising and maintaining a healthy weight.

-- Kimberly Sferruzzo

Last Updated: Dec. 16, 2005